08/27/2017

Here's a customer I had for eight months on a $50/week rental (4 weeks advance payment would then be $180). Dirt cheap. 65 cents a month for a decent-size skybox on a 1024. To be sure, he can use only 75 prims but the PARCEL is set aside that holds more prims and while they can be used, they aren't.

Who does that? Only idiots like me. I put a few of the skyboxes to $50/wk now and then as a loss leader to get new customers. Since they usually rotate fairly often -- most people don't stay and stay in skyboxes, but like a change -- it's rare that I have one cling to a skybox this long. That's alright, but then what began as a "special" or a "loss leader" then becomes "I'm subsidizing your Second Life". There isn't a way to fix this fairly, as if you announce that the special is over they get angry.

So finally it seems as if this guy has left -- after paying regularly, he doesn't pay and some days go by. It's summer, so I let it go, people are on vacation. But then passing by again today, I see it's only on $50, so I change it to $100. OMGODZORZ, it's now a grand US $1.35 for your skybox in Second Life. Will that break you?!

First this guy exaggerates the change -- confusing what he was renting with another one next door to that which is $200 -- in fact, a skybox from which a guy who never picks up after himself has left, but since he is a very long-time renter (seven years on multiple sims!), I figured I'd wait to hear from him.

And here's a side story for a minute: BTW, THAT one at $200 picked a fight with me after coming to my office, ignoring me as I stood right there, playing my rental slots frantically, and then stacking up like 12 wins of the Free B&B to use AGAIN to get weeks on end of a free B&B. Since I am trying to promote the B&Bs I put "win a free week at a B&B" on MANY of the prizes. MOST PEOPLE if they focus on them at all -- B&Bs are hard sells because of people's frantic fears about privacy, something I try to gently overcome with this system -- only take one week. That's because most people only play the slot a few times, see what they win, and quit.

This guy has figured out he can run it up a zillion times and go for months for free. I looked the other way at this because I was busy and didn't have a way to solve it instantly, he was one of the few doing it, and as he was a long-time tenant, I figured I could absorb it. But fFinally, when he was doing this in person and not even bothering to say hello to me, when I was standing right next to the machine re-filling the raffles, I said, "While I can honour this round, I'm going to have to put in limits because I can't continue to be drained down like this". He went into high dungeon insult mode and fumed for the rest of the day, wouldn't cash in that round taking a high victim approach, then told me that he'd never rent from me again after 7 years blah blah. This is because for him, it was "rude" of me to say the truth: "I can't continue to be drained down like this." I'm tired of this, so I said, essentially, your call, but it's not rude to finally protest that after multiple uses of multiple free weeks that really do drain me down, I'm done. He ended up apologizing and coming back -- who doesn't appreciate dirt-cheap rentals even if the landlord is rude? But hey, I'm done. I'm not selling charm here, but cheap skyboxes.

I changed the rental gacha now so that there aren't as many free B&B weeks, and instead, free extra prims, a new thing I thought up. And I also introduced a brake -- you can use the "free anywhere" week only once every 60 days. That seems fair enough. That way if someone wins one, they can keep it, KEEP PAYING ME RENT HELLO, then use the freebie. It's only fair. My God, who has free rental gatchas? Only me!

So... back with this one and his $50 skybox where he and his friends, which I've added when he asked, have happily lived for some eight months, I'm done too.

*I don't care* if it sound rude to tell somebody that I'm done, and can't be drained anymore. If they find that rude, instead of a REALITY CHECK, I really can't care anymore. This customer and his friends are lost -- but they won't pay $100/wk anyway.

At this point I'm just SO DONE with all this. And truly, if you get mad because a customer drains you down because they can -- the way most people are -- grabbers -- then you have only yourself to blame. So I fix that by at least doubling the price -- I can do that much! And telling them the truth -- I can do that much, too!

[14:57] Icheb: hello, I accidentally let my lease expire (thought I had more day). I went to renew and see the rent doubled from L$50 a week to L$200. Skyhome 3, Juanita.[14:58] Icheb: *correction. it doubled from L$50 to L$100 a week[15:45] Prokofy Neva: Yes, because it was on special at $50, which is a hugely subsidized rate, so now it's on $100, and the one next to it is $200, which it always was. $50 doesn't cover the tier I have to pay to LL. $100 doesn't either for that matter. I'm sorry I can't keep subsidizing your Second Life.[15:46] Icheb: ok, wasn't asking you to subsidize anything; Was just curious why the rate had doubled.[15:47] Prokofy Neva: Because...you didn't pay on time for a rental that was meant to be on special for a short time anyway. So now it's at a more normal cost that still is dirt cheap.[15:47] Prokofy Neva: If you don't have US $1.35 for your SL, I don't know how you live in RL, but whatever, it is what it is[15:47] Prokofy Neva: per month[15:49] Icheb: wow, I was considering renting again at the new rate, but you have been rude and insulting when I just made a polite inquiry. I think I will take my business elsewhere.[15:50] Prokofy Neva: Yeah, because you've been obnoxious to me FIRST big guy, complaining about rent that was idiotically cheap going up to only slightly less idiotic, that's why[15:50] Prokofy Neva: SO PLEASE DO MOVE ON[15:51] Prokofy Neva: That you have to complain about something doubling from US $0.65 to $1.35 or whatever is the problem from the get-go[15:51] Prokofy Neva: learn to appreciate what you get in SL for free and stop whining and demanding your rights[15:52] Icheb: whatever, I can make an inquiry about rent if I want. I was polite about it. You are just being abusive when all I did was politely ask a question. Poorest customer service that I have ever seen.[15:52] Prokofy Neva: Stop imagining that someone telling you the truth about your drain-down of a kind landlord is being "rude"[15:52] Prokofy Neva: No, you're the poorest excuse for a human being I've seen this week[15:52] Icheb: LOL[15:52] Prokofy Neva: you didn't just politely ask a question[15:52] Icheb: whatever loser[15:52] Prokofy Neva: you complained[15:52] Prokofy Neva: you're the loser, that has to bitch about 65 cents turning to $1.35[15:52] Prokofy Neva: hilarious[15:52] Prokofy Neva: get a life[15:52] Prokofy Neva: any kind, second or first, doesn't matter[15:53] Icheb: I could afford you rant many times over. All I did was ask a make an inquiry. Sorry that upset you to much.[15:54] Prokofy Neva: no, that's not true, first of all you claimed only a day went by -- false. Secondly you complained about the doubling of a dirt cheap rate. When it was explained that I can't keep subsidizing your Second Life, you went into shock and angry and belief that this is "rude" when it is only REALITY[15:54] Prokofy Neva: so move along, bye, block, do not rent list[15:54] Prokofy Neva: Not required to do this

Notice an interesting detail: the guy said "I could afford your rant" -- Freudian slip, he meant "rent" -- MANY TIMES OVER.

OF COURSE he can. He's probably a programmer who makes six figures in real life. Or whatever. But OF COURSE he can afford double or even triple that rent. YET WHEN IT IS RAISED HE QUESTIONS IT. THAT is the problem.

I've also decided that now I'm done forever with $50 skyboxes. I do it as a loss leader in a world where many landlords offer $50 skyboxes -- often on layers, not on dedicated parcels, so people can't have their own stream. My God, I offered them on dedicated parcels with their own stream! Done with that craziness now!

$100/wk doesn't cover the tier on a 512, either. If there are 225 prims on a 512, that's US $1.93 in tier. $100 a week if they take the 4 wks for 10% discount is only $1.35.

To cover the $1.93 and make a bit of profit (which you simply have to do to cover other costs and no occupancy!), I'd need $150/wk or $540/month which is $2.02 per month. Hey, go wild. I put a lot of the skyboxes to just that: $150/225 or more if they are spacious or furnished. Look, if $2.02 per month is breaking you -- less than a latte at Starbuck's or Cold Brew small at Dunkin's -- then how do you manage to live in RL? Honestly.

The problem is, there are so many desperate landlords competing, and so many people who just want to defray costs and not meet them or make a profit, that you can't charge what is required and stay in business. That's the sign you shouldn't BE in business, and I get all that.

08/26/2017

I hate people who snipe rentals from others. Honestly, Mainland rentals guys? You really need to do that? You're THAT desperate for a cheap rental?

I have a grace period and many long-term residents in my rentals. Some have been there for months and even years. I don't have automatic systems that immediately eject people and prims when their rent is up. I have old-school rental boxes that are merely payment markers with the ability to refund.

Inevitably someone spots a rezzed-out box and wants to grab it. Most people ask, when they see a house already there. They ask -- is this available?

But a certain percentage do the opposite -- not only do they grab it, they begin demanding to know why they can't return the previous tenant's things.

They imagine they should be able to do this because when they are *sent* or given a group that is CLOSED, perhaps they can do that. But in an OPEN rental where you can OPENLY join yourself on a group joiner or in search, you can't give out the ability to return group-set things or people not only return rental boxes, they return things they don't like of their fellow tenants.

Like their houses, during the grace period.

Obviously, a rezzed out box looks like it is "fair game" -- and some people just keep huffing and puffing in anger when you explain that it isn't. Because...there's a grace period. One they would like honoured if they were in that rental. Plus, if I have someone who has been in a place for literally seven years, even if the grace period has passed, I wait until I contact the person. In most cases they want to keep it and pay back rent.

So my rule is that IF IT IS IN SEARCH already and rezzed out, even if the previous tenant's things are there, then you can have it. And I put this is all the leases -- except perhaps there are a few that don't have them for some reason, like the camps.

So what? It's a rule, it's in FAQs, and it's available at the office. More to the point WHEN IT IS EXPLAINED TO YOU ANYWAY, why keep arguing, fact-checking, haranguing about it? It just shows you're an asshole.

Recently I had two people come after a desirable cheap waterfront in the camp. One was told it wasn't available, told there was another one elsewhere, and they took that one. The other one did this -- and claimed her money wasn't returned even though it was instantly returned with "refund" -- that takes out the cancellation fee, so that was immediately returned afterwards. People like this always default to surly hatred of landlords, however, and never check their payments.

[2017/08/25 07:16] Lola80 Rossini: (Saved Fri Aug 25 09:30:50 2017)hi Prokofy, I rented a parcel in Hector... its name is Gracie's place, may I change the name?[2017/08/25 07:18] Prokofy Neva: Hi, the parcel is not available, it's not in search. There is a grace period after the box expires. I will have to contact the previous tenant to see if she is keeping it[2017/08/25 07:18] Lola (lola80.rossini): User not online - message will be stored and delivered later.[2017/08/25 17:23] Lola80 Rossini: (Saved Fri Aug 25 13:55:32 2017)but I have paid 100L and they were taken from me. In addition I don't see any mention of a grace period in the info note.[2017/08/25 17:26] Prokofy Neva: The grace period is standard in the leases all over my rentals. If that particular one is missing, it doesn't matter as the FAQs given you when you rent explain it. You were given a full refund in two parts, check https://accounts.secondlife.com/transaction_history/[2017/08/25 17:26] Lola (lola80.rossini): User not online - message will be stored and delivered later.[08:16] Lola80 Rossini: (Saved Sat Aug 26 04:40:50 2017)so, how long should I wait to know if the parcel is available? btw I did not receive any FAQ, only your refund[08:19] Prokofy Neva: FAQs are given after payment. You sound VERY high maintenance and demanding for what amounts to very low-cost rentals and your attitude is obnoxious. I don't need people like you in my rentals so move along and find someone else to torment.[08:19] Lola (lola80.rossini): User not online - message will be stored and delivered later.[15:13] Lola80 Rossini: (Saved Sat Aug 26 17:16:32 2017)Thank you! You have been reported.[15:16] Prokofy Neva: There's nothing to "report" dearie. I'm not required to rent to people who are obnoxious. Commercial disputes between residents is not a matter for Linden Lab. Meanwhile, your bad behavior is a matter for publicity.[15:16] Lola80 Rossini: The Resident you messaged has blocked you from sending them any messages.

Fact-checkers like this nearly always get a big pushback from me. It doesn't matter if they are technically correct -- that particular rental box may not have had the message about the grace period, although the overwhelming majority do, as anyone who goes around checking can determine.

The reason they get pushback is because this is a big red flag for a permanent state of assholery I don't wish to deal with every day. Also, a person with a default surly mistrust that they haven't been properly refunded when they have are also a big red flag. Two of these are plenty to go on the do not rent list forever in my book. Later she does admit getting a refund -- but no apology for having nastily told me they were "taken from me" -- well, um, you paid a rental box, dear, that's all. And you were immediately refunded, duh.

The profile of this person clinches it -- one of those standard SL stupidities about not arguing with an idiot because you will be brought to his level. This arrogant type imagines she is surrounded by idiots that she has dealt with handily by a "very clever" profile. Instead, she's provided another marker for her own idiocy.

I often find that hatred and suspicion that you have been bilked by unscrupulous landlords goes with low intelligence. And failure to grasp when you've been told "no" is more evidence of the same. It's part of the entitlement culture that people are raised in these days, but it's also stupid.

Finally, the ultimate marker for idiocy: a belief that you can "report to the Lindens" a landlord whom you don't like, who you believe was rude to you, or even one who actually ripped you off, if that were the case. The reality is, you can't do this. LL does nothing about disputes between residents. It's listed in their TOS multiple times. Most people grasp this principle of Second Life. But you do get some who really believe they can "sic the law on you". A marker of basic lack of intelligence.

08/02/2017

I can always tell these ones coming down the track and how they will end.

I think I meant "ineffable" or "inexplicable" nature of the Metaverse, not the "inexorable," although "inexorable" works, too!

[11:01] Jenxi: Hello I have just rented a skybox in Juanita and was wondering I can have you pick up the things that were left behind from the previous tenant please?[11:08] Jenxi: There are also 6 or so items rezzed under the skybox and another 3 items on the roof from various people lol.[11:11] Jenxi: If I put up a secuirty orb in the skybox will it automatically cover only plot of land? it is a lazy guy security orb.. and if I set it to group, I can still put only the names I allow in the skybox? It wont let anyone in the group up here?[11:15] Jenxi: meaning I know I need to set it to ravenglass group I mean.. but I only want my partner and I allowed if possible[11:15] Prokofy Neva: Hi, you can' "pick up" other people's objects and we don't put on group-set return or people return the rental boxes or things they don't like. Management furniture doesn't count. If you don't like it, it's $25 to remove it. If there are things from previous tenants, they are removed. You have to set any security orb to a radius that covers only the skybox itself, not the entire plot. We don't allow security orbs on the ground as they make for a nasty experience for everyone else and are unnecessary. You can set a lazy guy to 20 m with your list of names and that should be sufficient. Lazy guy does not work by group, but by white list of names. The teleporter is also group plus names[11:16] Jenxi: OK, none of these items are mgmt prims they are all left overs from various people, and I guess the last renter.. one of which is a rather distrubing naked photo of a pregnant girl :([11:17] Prokofy Neva: well other people's things are always more disturbing than your own, but this rental was not in search and not placed on open, you paid it before it's grace period was up, so remain calm, if that person isn't expecting to continue it and likely they aren't, these items will be removed[11:18] Jenxi: I was wandering around and the rental box said it was for rent :([11:18] Prokofy Neva: Look dear, I explained, that *it's in a grace period* that you yourself would want if you were in this rental : )[11:19] Prokofy Neva: Your desire for cleanliness, security, privacy and aesthetics may be all out of proportion to what you've rented, which is a cheap subsidized mainland skybox : )[11:22] Jenxi: I understand what I am renting, I assumed because the pay box said "pay me to start your lease" it meant it was up for rent. I wasnt aware it was on a "grace period" I merely followed the instructions on the box and assumed the things that didint belong here would be returned.[11:23] Prokofy Neva: well it's not in search? And you can assume all you like but one of the reasons these rentals are cheap is because I don't use expensive CasperLet rental systems that tell you that something is "in a grace period". You can assume rightly that things will be returned but FIRST I have to ask the customer who has rented from me for YEARS if he in fact left this rental[11:23] Prokofy Neva: if this isn't moving fast enough for you, hit refund, and your cancellation fee will be returned manually[11:23] Prokofy Neva: or rent an empty lot and put up your own skybox or wait to have this one put up[11:24] Prokofy Neva: I never understand why people come to rentals and start tapping their little avatar feet so impatiently after five minutes when....they aren't in search but whatever, you roam around, do what you want, and so do I : )[11:27] Jenxi: Not every one uses the search Sir, I followed one lead and it lead me to your property and I merely cammed around until I saw a teleporter with an unrented box, as I knew I wanted a skybox. I also didnt know that I would have to trouble you to pick up the items as I thought once I was in the group I would be able to just return them myself. I dont mean to seem "impatient and tapping of my avatar foot" but I honestly just rented a place and wanted to get started in the setting up and my "paid clock' was already ticking. I dont mind renting a different space and having you put up this same skybox if that works better for you. let them have their grace period and I will just start fresh then.[11:29] Prokofy Neva: Yes, and I merely told you that as the lease tells you (info card) there's a grace period. So refund from this one and find another empty lot. The parcels in this sim all have their own skyboxes. You can use your prims to put up your own if you want as the management prims don't count. There are some open lots in Grote (letter I for example)[11:29] Prokofy Neva: Why would you be able to return prims in a group when the rental box is set to the group?[11:29] Prokofy Neva: This is the Mainland[11:29] Prokofy Neva: It's an OPEN group[11:30] Prokofy Neva: even if you assign return capacity only to those with the extra resident status given manually, why would you enable even paying tenants to return the rental box?[11:30] Jenxi: I am not sure how mainland works I was looking for an inexpensive rental[11:30] Prokofy Neva: and if your answer is, well, you carve out a little space to put the rental box in a different group, why *on the mainland* would you waste prims like this. Could I mention again we are on the MAINLAND. That's why it is CHEAP[11:31] Prokofy Neva: well as I said, refund from this one, go next door by the pond, in Grote, there are some by the road, 2 or 3 open ones available, they already have skyboxes, but if you want your prims to be used on THIS skybox, I can put it up for you and THOSE PRIMS would then count on your count[11:31] Prokofy Neva: since again, the way this is kept cheap is not by putting and taking skyboxes all day long[11:33] Jenxi: And I take a hit for the cancellation fee[11:34] Prokofy Neva: I guess you can't read[11:34] Prokofy Neva: I said the cancellation fee is manually returned[11:40] Jenxi: I guess you are used to dealing with assholes.. because not once have i been rude to you.. But because I happened upon a paybox of yours that says "Pay this sign to begin your lease" and I paid it. You begin to attack me because I am not a mind reader to know the land is on 'grace period".. for all I know that box has been sitting there unpaid for a month. I don't always look for rental via sl search.. I did what i should have done, and paid a box to start a rental. I dont understand why you have to insult me.[11:42] Prokofy Neva: I guess you don't seem to realize that US 0.75 does not buy you the customer service to which you feel entitled. I explained at the outset that it was in a grace period. Most people would get that and wait awhile to see if the previous tenant was still renting, or just refund especially after being offered return of the cancellation fee. In your case, you even got an offer to put up that same skybox on another lot for no fee, usually it's $25. You randomly paid a rental box. That's fine. Then the explanation is given to you and you are still grumping and spiting and seeking justice. It is not available. So your options are: a) refund, and get manual return of the cancelation fee b) find another rental in my system or someone else's, the end[11:45] Jenxi: So tell me then if I come across another box that says "Pay me, how am i to know it I will not be in the same boat of it being on a "grace period" that eats my paid rental time while I wait to see if the person will renew?[11:45] Prokofy Neva: And it's not about expecting you to be a mind reader, it's expecting you to be JUST a reader of text sent to you that says "it's in a grace period" and accept that this is an immutable condition of your second life. That's where you reveal yourself as an ass, and are treated accordingly[11:46] Jenxi: That isnt expecting "great customer service" its just about getting what you paid for.[11:46] Prokofy Neva: the inexorable nature of the Metaverse means that you *cannot know* if another parcel I've told you is available "might really be" only in a grace period. This is how we keep people hopping and guessing, surely?! Because being told it's available evidently *isn't enough* you might "still find" something in a grace period OMGODTHEHORROR[11:47] Prokofy Neva: I've spent WAY MORE than you deserve for your seventy five cents dear. So refund, move along, as I'm going to do: )[11:48] Jenxi: I already refunded.. and was waiting for the MANUAL credit you said I was so stupid for not getting.. when you are the one who WASNT refunding it.[11:48] Jenxi: look back... i refunded quite a while agop[11:48] Prokofy Neva: Yes, well it's manual, so it will not be instant : )[11:48] Jenxi: I dont even want it[11:48] Jenxi: keep it for your trouble[11:48] Jenxi: And the fact that you take peoples monety for land in limbo is idiotic[11:49] Prokofy Neva: No, the fact that you can't grasp simple explanations given to you and keep tapping your autocratic little avatar foot is the problem : )[11:49] Prokofy Neva: and I shall keep the fee. Bye![11:49] Prokofy Neva: block/ban/do not rent list[11:49] Jenxi: hahah such a losss

[03:40] WolfWoman Leborski: are you playing that gacha too????[03:40] Prokofy Neva: yes[03:40] Prokofy Neva: got the rares[03:41] WolfWoman Leborski: did you get a rare?[03:41] WolfWoman Leborski: which ones?[03:41] Prokofy Neva: both[03:41] WolfWoman Leborski: I wanted to the piano rare[03:41] Prokofy Neva: yeah it's cool[03:41] Prokofy Neva: I'm putting them in my fairy forest[03:41] WolfWoman Leborski: well thx for playing while I was[03:42] Prokofy Neva: you have to show the gachas who's boss[03:42] WolfWoman Leborski: that was very rude of you but then again you are a man[03:42] Prokofy Neva: it's not about you doll face, it's just a statement about the machines[03:43] Prokofy Neva: are you always this much of a fragile fairy?[03:43] WolfWoman Leborski: sweetie what you did was rude, have anone ever told you that you should wait your turn?[03:43] WolfWoman Leborski: You must be American[03:43] Prokofy Neva: um, no, I just said you have to tell the machine who's boss, it has nothing to do with being American or male or anything[03:44] Prokofy Neva: meanwhile you're one of those wussie Euro American haters from Germany or something[03:44] Prokofy Neva: so piss off[03:44] Prokofy Neva: you don't have to "wait your turn" with gachas[03:44] Prokofy Neva: more than one can play, are you DAFT???[03:44] Prokofy Neva: ask the managers[03:45] Prokofy Neva: my God you are fucking STUPID aside from being a little safe-spacer

See, I didn't even understand at first that this little gacha queen was claiming that you have to "wait your turn" at a gacha machine.

THAT is what she thought was "rude".

I thought she was reacting to my comment -- a joke I've said many times -- about "showing the machines who's boss" to get the rares.

Er, multiple people can play a gacha machine at the same time. Like multiple people can purchase objects.

While it is delivering to you, another person's click goes through. It can slice up the micro-seconds.